Key lime pie is seen at Mondo's Draft House in Coralville on Thursday, March 21, 2013. David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen / David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

While it’s technically springtime, the chilly temperature and biting wind could surely convince you otherwise. It’s a good thing there’s key lime pie to fall back on, which calls to mind the beach-y, palm tree-filled area where the dessert’s key ingredient is grown. The tangy pies at these Iowa City area restaurants are so good, they’re sure to transport you — if only temporarily — to a tropical paradise. So close your eyes, take a bite and imagine the warm sunshine.

Motley Cow Cafe

160 N. Linn St. in Iowa City

Info: 688-9177

The key lime pie ($5) at the Motley Cow Cafe is the real deal. The citrus-y, cool filling sits atop a crumbly graham cracker crust, creating a pie that is perfectly tart, moist and hands-down delicious. We’ll race you there.

Mondo's Sports Cafe

516 E. Second St., Coralville

Info: 337-3000

Each week Mondo’s Sports Cafe Chef Isaac Onofre bakes about 15 of the restaurants signature key lime pies to keep up with demand for the sweet, tangy dessert. The key to the perfect pie? The chef said he uses juice from fresh key limes and sweetened condensed milk in place of sugar. “When it’s served, I squirt a little bit more fresh lime juice on top to make it a little bit more original and tart,” he said. One slice ($6) can easily be split, but really, when you have something this good, who wants to share?

Formosa

221 E. College St., Ste. 241, Iowa City

Info: 338-8880

Formosa makes several mean martinis, but its key lime pie martini ($8) remains at the top of our list. The dessert-in-a-graham-cracker-rimmed-glass is made with vanilla vodka, melon, pineapple juice, pina colada mix and lime juice, creating a sweet, tangy concoction that will make it hard to order just one. Luckily, you don’t have to.